1. WHEN: Contact your photographer to book your date for Engagement photos months in advance. Especially if you're wanting popular weddings months like May-June and September-October. Also be willing to book a weekday if needed! If you're getting married in the fall, consider Spring engagement photos to capture a different season.

2. INSPIRATION: Have a vision of the general style/look you're going for. Is there a certain aesthetic that you're drawn to? Try not to look on Pinterest for ideas to duplicate, but share your vision and trust your photographer! Examples from his/her portfolio are welcomed! I would also recommend to keep it somewhat cohesive with the style of the wedding you're having. For example, if you're having an outdoor wedding, a Save the Date photo out in nature would help set the scene for the type of event. For really well-designed invitations and save the dates, check out paperless post!

3. LOCATION: Choosing a location that's meaningful to you will make your photos even more special and personal to your story. For example; the place you met, your favorite date spot, the campus where you went to school together, the place he proposed, or somewhere with family history. If you're shy when it comes to PDA, somewhere more secluded like a family friend's private property might make you feel more comfortable being yourself.

4. TIMING: Golden hour is the best time of day for outdoor portraits to get that nice warm glow. Keep that in mind when planning. If sunset is 8pm, I would suggest planning on around 6:00pm-7:30pm. Overcast on the day you have planned to shoot? No worries! Overcast skies can be great for photos because it provides soft, even lighting.

5. WARDROBE: Think something classic and timeless (verses trendy that will eventually go out of style.) Wear something that you feel great in, that feels like you. For colors, I'm personally partial to neutrals/earth tones (like grey, navy, denim, white, caramel, olive green, etc) that will compliment the environment we shoot in. I would avoid neon/colors that are too bright/bold that will compete instead of compliment. I want your emotions and expressions to be the main focus. Feel free to bring a second outfit to change into to mix it up.

5. PRIMP: Treat yourself! Consider getting your hair and makeup professionally done as well as your nails to be ready for those close ups! If you have a color palette preference, make sure to let your h/m artist know and show them an inspiration pic. Tip: It's good to have chapstick for him on hand/touch up lip stick for you on hand, water, face powder, etc! Hair/Makeup artist in Nashville I recommend: Stephanie Harrisonharrisonstephanie@hotmail.com

6. PROPS: Don't worry about bringing any props! I want the two of you to be the main focus of the photos. Props like "save the date" signs or banners with your wedding date are cute, but are a bit trendy and can be awkward to photograph. Leave the design and date announcement to an awesome save the date card template.

7. RELAX: You'll be in an amazing location with the love of your life, you both will look your best, and your only job is to love on each other! Don't feel pressured to always look at the camera and smile. Actually, it's best if you can interact with each other: talk, laugh, hug, etc. Your images will look much more natural and effortless if you're relaxed and just enjoying each other!

Jordan and Ashley met in college in Bowling Green, KY and moved to Nashville for job opportunities. Their wedding is this July at the Cathedral of Incarnation, with a reception at the University Club of Nashville. Thanks to their wonderful planner Helen Morisette for sending them my way! For their winter-wonderland engagement session we met at a local Christmas Tree lot and afterwards thawed out at a coffee shop down the street.

Laura and I met in home group though our church, The Village Chapel. She is a bright, beautiful girl who moved here after college to be a school teacher. Our home group feels like a family, so I was thrilled for Laura when she got engaged and wanted me to take their engagement photos. I got to meet Jonathan, her other half, and loved witnessing their sweet relationship. Laura wanted the engagement session to be in Franklin, where she has family history. Her Mom was born and raised in Franklin, her grandfather and great-grandfather were both County judges, and there's a family farm in town still running as well. We started at the lovely Carnton Plantation, then ventured into Downtown Franklin. Laura will be getting married this summer back in TX and moving there to be with Jonathan afterwards. We will miss her dearly!

Carnton Plantation Engagement Session

Jonathan and Laura met their Junior year of high school in TX, Laura got to be really close friends with Jonathan's sister, and got to know his family that way. Some sparks flew on their Senior trip to LA, but they then went their separate ways to college. They got back in touch, tried dating long distance, and got back together again when Jonathan's brother in-law was set on in. "Dating Jonathan has been the most fun and natural thing. The Lord has been so faithful in both of our lives and it was been amazing to see the work He did in both of us to bring us to this place today."

Carnton Plantation Engagement Session

"We got engaged on October 11, 2013 at Arrington Vineyards. After months of lies and secrets, Jonathan had my family and his flown in to be a part of the big day. -- When we arrived, my dad was waiting for me and walked me up to where Jonathan was waiting. I knew what was going on once I saw my dad, but could not wrap my head around all of it. Jonathan had typed a letter that he read to me. I was humbled by the words that he used to describe me and how he promised to love and care for me like Christ loves us. He had a blanket with our names on it and the ring waiting. He got down on one knee and proposed. Our family and close friends were waiting near by and some were hidden in the vines getting pictures of the whole thing."

"Even though we both went to Ole Miss for undergrad we didn't meet until Friday August 19, 2011, two days after I moved to Nashville for graduate school. I had a couple girlfriends from Ole Miss that already lived in Nashville and they invited me over that night. Next thing I know I hear a booming voice and a ton of laughter. The man producing all this racket comes stomping, knees high, in to the living room where I was. He turns around, sticks out his hand and says 'Hi, Caldwell Lucas' in the deepest southern accent I'd ever heard."

Fast forward to 2013, here's a snippet from Carolyn's story of the proposal.

"All of a sudden as we're approaching the First United Methodist Church (his family's church) I noticed there were some flowers in a vase on the steps. My first thought was that someone had put them there in memory of a loved one but as we passed all of sudden Caldwell stops and says "Oh, what's that?" and at that moment I knew. He then proceeded to almost push me on to the steps and said "you should read that" where a card and the flowers were waiting. I opened the card which read "Will you marry me?" and turned around and he was on one knee! All of a sudden he tells me to look across the street and I see his little sister had captured it all on camera and then around the corner comes both our families. We had dinner at Cork and Cow to celebrate."

"Our favorite thing to do is go back to Ole Miss and spend time in The Grove for football games with our friends and family. When we do get some free time we like to spend it with our friends cooking out, or hanging at home with our awesome dog Koda. We really love to find great restaurants with a cool atmosphere and a great wine list."